Don's 2 cents
Joe, I have done quite a bit of research on the Cherubini Hunters these last few years and have been anxious to chat with an early 30 owner with "center board". You say you have a swing keel made of iron eh? Interesting... I'd love to see some pictures of it and please tell me your opinion of the swing keel arrangment. I would think the keel should weigh at least 1000 lbs..yes? This would require a winch of some sort to raise and lower. Is there a lock to hold it in place once down? As to your question, I've had two Catalina 22s with swing keels (cast iron like your's) and they do get ugly, but sandblasted,and epoxy coated will make them look like new or better. I believe you can use "bondo" to fill any deep voids. If the pivot pin hole is deformed, it can be bushed or weld added and then redrilled. As far as I know, the early 30's are the only Hunters with a cast iron swing keel or center board for that matter so you wont find many folks in the Hunter crowd with experience. You would have a lot more success getting advice from the Catalina site or e-mail list. I know a bunch of C-22ers refinished their keels and these boats can be older than your's. Good luck! Don Bodemann 1977 H33 New Jersey
